History | About Us | Avon Old Farms

Avon Old Farms: Looking to the Future

This spring, Head of School Jim Detora P'12 announced that he will retire at the end of the 2027–2028 academic year. At that time, Avon's Board of Directors Head of School Search Committee, led by Neal Keating P '19, shared that it would begin a comprehensive search for Avon's next Head of School. The Board has retained RG175, a global firm specializing in independent school leadership searches, to partner with our search committee in identifying the school’s next leader.

Below, please find a message from our Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Search Comittee, and from Head of School Jim Detora P'12. We've also included an introduction to our search firm partner.

From The Chairman of the Board of Directors Glenn A. Sieber H'19, P'17 "Avon Old Farms is exceptionally well-positioned for its next chapter with strong enrollment, meaningful campus improvements, and a solid financial foundation. Jim’s intentional timing offers a natural and exciting transition point, an opportunity to honor the School’s rich history while preparing for the leadership that will carry us into our second century." Read the Full Letter

From the Search Committee

Neal J. Keating P'19, Board of Directors Member & Search Committee Chair

"While the Board of Directors holds ultimate responsibility for selecting Avon's next Head of School, the Search Committee will work closely with our search partner, RG175, to evaluate candidates and bring forward a recommendation to the full Board. We have carefully and thoughtfully assembled a committee that reflects a wide range of perspectives from across our community, including trustees, faculty, alumni, and parents, each bringing a deep understanding of Avon and a genuine investment in its future. This is a responsibility we hold with great care, and one we are eager to begin."

The Right Time for a Transition James M. Detora P'12 "As I complete my 33rd year at Avon, my thoughts have turned to my future here ... Finishing my time at Avon in the right way is deeply important to me. With that in mind, and consistent with the timeframe I shared with the Board when I accepted this role, I have concluded that serving as Head of School for two more years is the right path forward. By that time, the Centennial Celebration will be complete, and the Capital Campaign will be in its final stages. This significant chapter in Avon’s history will come to a close, creating a natural transition point for new leadership to guide the School into its second century. While the decision was not an easy one, it is the right one." Read The Full Letter

About the Search Firm

From its inception, RG175 has been dedicated to providing highly personalized leadership and governance consulting, grounded in the core values of integrity, inclusivity, knowledge, and flexibility. Since our founding, we have remained committed to delivering personalized leadership consulting tailored to the unique needs of each client school. RG175 consultants are seasoned leaders with extensive experience as successful heads and senior leaders of independent and international schools. This deep expertise equips us to help schools uncover their core strengths, address key challenges, and seize strategic opportunities.